It will cost $5.52 billion to rebuild after deadly wildfire devastates Maui, FEMA estimates

ALL RIGHT, HEATHER, THANK YOU. TO MAUI NOW. WE’RE FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY, RESIDENTS OF LAHAINA ARE BEING ALLOWED BACK IN SINCE WILDFIRE RIPPED THROUGH THIS HISTORIC TOWN. THEY CAN NOW GO AND CHECK ON THEIR PROPERTY IN PERSON. BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY’RE RETURNING TO. YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF FROM THIS NEW VIDEO. IT SHOWS JUST THE SCOPE OF THE DEVASTATION. THE TOWN REALLY HAS BEEN LEVELED LITERALLY SO LITTLE LEFT, NOTHING LIKE WHAT IT USED TO LOOK LIKE AT ALL. AND LOOK AT ALL THESE BURNED OUT CARS RIGHT ALONG THE EDGE. AND THIS IS WHERE WE WERE HEARING THE STORIES OF PEOPLE JUMPING OUT OF THEIR CARS AND JUMPING INTO THE OCEAN TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES. PILES OF DEBRIS AND ASH, DOZENS OF CHARRED CARS, A SIGN OF JUST HOW QUICKLY THE FLAMES TORE THROUGH. AT LEAST 55 PEOPLE DIED. AND HAWAII’S GOVERNOR WARNS THAT THAT NUMBER COULD GO HIGHER AS SEARCH AND RESCUE CREWS CONTINUE THEIR WORK. AND AS LAURA AGUIRRE TELLS US, NEW TEAMS ARE ARRIVING STATESIDE THAT COULD HELP SPEED UP THE SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCESS. FORMULA, DIAPERS, ICE WATER AND JUST FOOD FROM A DESPERATE YOUNG MOTHER TO AN ARTIST LOSING A 50 YEAR COLLECTION. IT HURTS, MAN. IT’S A LIFETIME OF WORK. GO ON. THE PEOPLE AND THE LANDSCAPE OF WESTERN MAUI ARE FOREVER CHANGED. THE FIRES ARE STILL RAGING HERE. THERE ARE THERE’S NOT 100% CONTAINMENT. LOCAL NONPROFITS AND OTHER GROUPS ARE WORKING TO GET SUPPLIES IN TO THE FIRE RAVAGED AREAS ANY WAY THEY CAN. CHURCHES, NONPROFITS ARE SENDING MATERIALS VIA BOAT TO WEST MAUI AND VIA AIR BECAUSE THE TWO WAYS TO ACCESS THE WEST SIDE OF MAUI ARE CLOSED OFF TO EVERYONE EXCEPT EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. RIGHT NOW, CADAVER DOGS, SEARCH TEAMS ARE ARRIVING FROM STATESIDE. THEIR MISSION WILL BE GRIM. THEY NEED TO GO THROUGH PROPERTY BY PROPERTY, HOUSE BY HOUSE JUST TO SEE WHO’S THERE. MANY FIRE SURVIVORS ARE NOW QUESTIONING THE PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM IN PLACE. MY PHONE GOT ONE PING AS I WAS GETTING INTO MY TRUCK, AND THAT WAS THE ONLY EVACUATION NOTICE WE HAD. THAT WARNING WAS COMPLETELY USELESS. COL MILLINGTON SAYS THE ISLAND’S TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN UTILIZED. WE’RE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT IS A COMMUNICATION AND HOW COULD IT BE BETTER. BUT FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS DO LITTLE TO EASE MAUI’S HEARTBREAKING REALITY. RIGHT NOW, THE MAUI POLICE CHIEF REFERRED TO LAHAINA, THE ENTIRE TOWN, AS A SACRED BURIAL GROUND. I’M LAURA AGUIRRE, REPORTING. AND THE STATE OF HAWAII HAS DESCRIBED ITS WARNING SYSTEM AS THE LARGEST OUTDOOR PUBLIC SAFETY WARNING SYSTEM IN THE WORLD. IT’S USED TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT EARTHQUAKES, TSUNAMIS, BRUSH FIRES, FLOODING, LAVA OR EVEN TERRORISM. THERE ARE MORE THAN 400 SIRENS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND, INCLUDING 80 IN MAUI COUNTY ALONE. BUT BUT RECORDS SHOW NO INDICATION THOSE SIRENS WENT OFF. INSTEAD, OFFICIALS SENT ALERTS TO PHONES, TVS AND RADIOS. BUT IT’S NOT CLEAR IF THOSE WENT OUT BEFORE OR AFTER THE ISLAND WAS HIT WITH POWER AND SIGNAL OUTAGES. IF IT WAS AFTER THAT, MAY HAVE LIMITED THEIR REACH. AND MAUI FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRE MOVED SO FAST FROM BRUSH TO NEIGHBORHOODS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MESSAGES TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE ALERTS. AND RIGHT NOW, INFORMATION IS HARD TO COME BY AND FRUSTRATION IS GROWING AS YOU CAN IMAGINE. LINES OF COMMUNICATION ARE DOWN ACROSS MAUI. CELL TOWERS BURNED TO THE GROUND, PHONE LINES AND INTERNET SERVICE ARE OUT. AND THAT’S WHERE RADIO WAS COMING IN. SAY THEY’RE TAKING CALLS INSTEAD OF PLAYING MUSIC, THEY’RE TAKING CALLS FROM FRANTIC, UPSET, SCARED RESIDENTS. THEY SAY THEY WANT TO HELP, BUT IT’S HARD WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE THE ANSWERS FOR THEM. IT’S BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO TALK, NOT TO US SPECIFICALLY, BUT TO TALK THROUGH US, TO REACH THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED TO HEAR THEIR VOICES. AND WHEN WE DON’T HAVE THOSE DETAILS AVAILABLE TO US, FOR THEM, IT’S FRUSTRATING FOR SURE. I JUST WISH WE HAD MORE FROM THEM. WE NEED OUR LEADER TO STEP UP AND GUIDE US ON WHAT TO DO. WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE WAITING FOR ANY KIND OF CONTACT AND TOURISTS CONTINUE TO LEAVE MAUI. ONLY A STREAM OF BUSSES ARE DROPPING OFF. TRAVELERS EVACUATED FROM THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE ISLAND AT THE MAUI AIRPORT. MANY ARE LOOKING FOR FLIGHTS OUT. THEY SAY THEY ARE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT AS TOURISTS, THEY CAN LEAVE AND GO BACK HOME. BUT RESIDENTS HAVE TO STAY IN. SO MANY HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. WHEN WE CAME ON THE CHARTER BUS TO COME HERE, THEY TOOK US RIGHT THROUGH LAHAINA AND WE WERE ABLE TO SEE UP CLOSE AND FIRSTHAND THE DEVASTATION AND HOW EVERYTHING WE SAW THE DAY BEFORE WAS SO LUSH AND BEAUTIFUL IS JUST COMPLETELY GONE NOW. IT’S JUST EVERYTHING BURNED TO JUST YOU. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN LAHAINA WAS REALLY, REALLY SO SAD WITH OUR HEARTS. DEFINITELY GO OUT TO ALL THOSE WHO LOST EVERYTHING, THEIR LIVELIHOODS, THEIR FAMILY, THEIR THEIR HOMES. YEAH, WE HAD JUST DRIVEN THROUGH TWO DAYS EARLIER AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND BUSTLING. AND THEN COMING BACK ON THE WAY BACK AND SEEING JUST ABSOLUTELY NO STATION. IT WAS REALLY HEARTBREAKING. HAWAII OFFICIALS SAY 11,000 PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THE ISLAND AS OF YESTERDAY. HUNDREDS MORE ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE LAST NIGHT. AND THEN ALSO TODAY, AN ELK GROVE FAMILY IS BACK HOME TONIGHT AFTER ESCAPING THE SMOKE AND FLAMES ON MAUI. THE HAKALA FAMILY WAS VACATIONING WHEN THEY STARTED TO SEE SMOKE. AND THE VIDEO SHOWS HERE THAT YOU’RE WATCHING HOW THEY WERE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE PATH OF THE FLAMES. THE FAMILY MOVED TO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE ISLAND, BUT KNEW SOMETHING WASN’T RIGHT WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. I DON’T KNOW WHAT MADE ME. I THINK JUST LIVING AROUND HERE. I THINK THE FACT THAT WE’VE HAD THIS HAPPEN AND I HAVE PROPERTY UP IN AUBURN, SO WE HAVE THE KING FIRE, WE’VE HAD THE CAMPFIRE, WE HAVE THE ONE THAT BURNED UP PARADISE. AND SO I THINK THAT AS SOON AS IT STARTED HAPPENING, I JUST GOT THIS FEELING TO NOT SIT AROUND THE FAMILY MADE THEIR WAY TO THE AIRPORT AND BACK TO ELK GROVE. THEY SAY THE PICTURES OF THE AFTERMATH ARE ABSOLUTE DEVASTATING AND THEY’RE JUST GRATEFUL THAT THEY’RE SAFE. A 150 YEAR OLD BANYAN TREE THAT SITS IN THE HEART OF LAHAINA WAS NOT SPARED BY THE FLAMES. LOOK AT THIS. YOU CAN SEE THE HISTORIC TREE SO BADLY CHARRED BUT STILL STANDING AFTER BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. RESIDENTS ARE HOPING THE ICONIC TREE WILL SURVIVE THE SCARS OF THE FIRE. THEY’RE LOOKING TO IT AS A SYMBOL OF HOPE. MAUI OFFICIALS SAY IF THE ROOTS ARE STILL HEALTHY, THE TREE MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO GROW BACK. THE BANYAN TREE WAS JUST A SMALL SAPLING WHEN IT WAS PLANTED BACK IN 1873 AS A GIFT FROM INDIA. IT’S PROVIDED SHADE FOR GENERATIONS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SEEKING REFUGE FROM THE FIRES IN RED CROSS SHELTERS. WE ARE TEAMING UP WITH THE RED CROSS TO COLLECT DONATIONS FOR THOSE EFFORTS. YOU CAN HELP BY SCANNING THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE. ONCE YOU GET TO THAT LINK, YOU CAN DESIGNATE THE HAWAII WILDFIRE SPECIFICALLY IF YOU WANT YOUR DONATION TO GO THERE. AND MORE HELP FROM RED CROSS IS ON THE WAY. TEAMS WILL ALSO BE HELPING WITH DAMA

As the Maui wildfire death toll mounts and search teams and their cadaver dogs continue the grim work of sifting through the ruins of burned buildings, officials estimated on Saturday that it will cost billions to restore the once-picturesque town of Lahaina.Firefighters have made some progress in containing the blazes, which have killed at least 80 people and leveled entire communities, but officials warn they do not know exactly how many people are still missing after wildfires earlier this week began eating through neighborhoods in western Maui.The blazes, fanned by powerful winds from Hurricane Dora hundreds of miles offshore, have become the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii since statehood in 1959.As of Friday evening local time, all three fires were still active after initial reports came Tuesday. And while there have been some improvements in containment, the risk of flare-ups remains.People in Kaanapali were evacuating Friday night after spotting a fire in the neighborhood, which is about 4 miles north of hard-hit Lahaina, Maui police said. The fire was later 100% contained, according to county officials.Of the three largest wildfires that crews have been combating, the deadly fire in Lahaina was 85% contained, Maui County officials said Friday afternoon, up from 80% reported the day before.Video below: Maui resident describes evacuations: 'My three little girls just started crying hysterically'The Pulehu fire – located farther east in Kihei – was 80% contained Friday, another sign of improvement from 70% on Thursday, officials noted. A third inferno in the hills of Maui’s central Upcountry was 50% contained on Friday, officials said.Meanwhile, search and recovery teams are using cadaver dogs to help find those missing and the increasing possibility of more deceased victims.So far, crews have not searched inside buildings, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said Friday. The deaths in Lahaina confirmed as of Friday afternoon likely happened outdoors as people were trying to escape flames, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told CNN.“Without a doubt, there will be more fatalities. We do not know, ultimately, how many will have occurred,” said Green, noting that officials should have a better idea of that within days.As search efforts are underway, here’s the latest as of Saturday morning:Thousands unhoused: The fires have displaced thousands of people, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told CNN on Thursday. Those staying in shelters have expressed a deep sense of uncertainty, and the governor has urged people to take victims if they can. A hotline will likely be established to connect displaced residents with available rooms in homes and hotels, the governor added.Lahaina road closures: After residents were allowed a brief visit to their hometown, Maui Police closed its main road. Residents disregarded access rules when visiting Lahaina, leading law enforcement to shut down entry, CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now reported. It’s not clear when public traffic will be reinstated.Official updates: Communication in parts of Maui have been compromised due to severed lines, and many have reported not hearing from their loved ones in days. Maui County officials have resorted to updating the public via radio stations. They will also post new information on the county’s website and social media pages.Disaster response under review: Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez will lead a comprehensive review of officials’ response to the catastrophic wildfires, her office said Friday. “My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review,” Lopez said in a statement.Emergency sirens: News of the review comes as state records show Maui’s warning sirens were not activated, and the emergency communications with residents was largely limited to mobile phones and broadcasters at a time when most power and cell service was already cut.Water and power issues: Local authorities have cautioned residents not to drink the water in Upper Kula and Lahaina areas because it is unsafe. “Instead of tap water, customers are advised to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice and preparing food,” Maui County said Friday. Power restorations were underway Friday, with about 5,000 outages still active, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us, a significant improvement from about 11,000 a day prior.While it’s too early to determine the full scope of widespread destruction, the losses are estimated in the billions of dollars.Maui County experienced $5.52 billion in “capital exposure,” which is the estimated cost to rebuild following damage by the Lahaina Fire, according to an updated damage assessment from the Pacific Disaster Center and FEMA on Saturday.A total of 2,207 structures were damaged or destroyed and 2,170 acres have burned as a result of the Lahaina Fire, the assessment said.As the town is closed to residents, one couple told CNN they were not allowed in Friday to see their home.“The police won’t let us go to our home. We lived in the same house for 50 years since 1971,” Steve Dolan told CNN.“I wanted to go down there, see if anything’s left, but they won’t let us,” he said. “We’ll deal with it and we’ll wait a week or two and we can go see what’s left and start from scratch and rebuild.”

MAUI, Hawaii —

Firefighters have made some progress in containing the blazes, which have killed at least 80 people and leveled entire communities, but officials warn they do not know exactly how many people are still missing after wildfires earlier this week began eating through neighborhoods in western Maui.

The blazes, fanned by powerful winds from Hurricane Dora hundreds of miles offshore, have become the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii since statehood in 1959.

As of Friday evening local time, all three fires were still active after initial reports came Tuesday. And while there have been some improvements in containment, the risk of flare-ups remains.

People in Kaanapali were evacuating Friday night after spotting a fire in the neighborhood, which is about 4 miles north of hard-hit Lahaina, Maui police said. The fire was later 100% contained, according to county officials.

Of the three largest wildfires that crews have been combating, the deadly fire in Lahaina was 85% contained, Maui County officials said Friday afternoon, up from 80% reported the day before.

Video below: Maui resident describes evacuations: 'My three little girls just started crying hysterically'

The Pulehu fire – located farther east in Kihei – was 80% contained Friday, another sign of improvement from 70% on Thursday, officials noted. A third inferno in the hills of Maui’s central Upcountry was 50% contained on Friday, officials said.

Meanwhile, search and recovery teams are using cadaver dogs to help find those missing and the increasing possibility of more deceased victims.

So far, crews have not searched inside buildings, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said Friday. The deaths in Lahaina confirmed as of Friday afternoon likely happened outdoors as people were trying to escape flames, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told CNN.

“Without a doubt, there will be more fatalities. We do not know, ultimately, how many will have occurred,” said Green, noting that officials should have a better idea of that within days.

As search efforts are underway, here’s the latest as of Saturday morning:

Thousands unhoused: The fires have displaced thousands of people, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told CNN on Thursday. Those staying in shelters have expressed a deep sense of uncertainty, and the governor has urged people to take victims if they can. A hotline will likely be established to connect displaced residents with available rooms in homes and hotels, the governor added.

Lahaina road closures: After residents were allowed a brief visit to their hometown, Maui Police closed its main road. Residents disregarded access rules when visiting Lahaina, leading law enforcement to shut down entry, CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now reported. It’s not clear when public traffic will be reinstated.

Official updates: Communication in parts of Maui have been compromised due to severed lines, and many have reported not hearing from their loved ones in days. Maui County officials have resorted to updating the public via radio stations. They will also post new information on the county’s website and social media pages.

Disaster response under review: Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez will lead a comprehensive review of officials’ response to the catastrophic wildfires, her office said Friday. “My Department is committed to understanding the decisions that were made before and during the wildfires and to sharing with the public the results of this review,” Lopez said in a statement.

Emergency sirens: News of the review comes as state records show Maui’s warning sirens were not activated, and the emergency communications with residents was largely limited to mobile phones and broadcasters at a time when most power and cell service was already cut.

Water and power issues: Local authorities have cautioned residents not to drink the water in Upper Kula and Lahaina areas because it is unsafe. “Instead of tap water, customers are advised to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice and preparing food,” Maui County said Friday. Power restorations were underway Friday, with about 5,000 outages still active, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us, a significant improvement from about 11,000 a day prior.

While it’s too early to determine the full scope of widespread destruction, the losses are estimated in the billions of dollars.

Maui County experienced $5.52 billion in “capital exposure,” which is the estimated cost to rebuild following damage by the Lahaina Fire, according to an updated damage assessment from the Pacific Disaster Center and FEMA on Saturday.

A total of 2,207 structures were damaged or destroyed and 2,170 acres have burned as a result of the Lahaina Fire, the assessment said.

As the town is closed to residents, one couple told CNN they were not allowed in Friday to see their home.

“The police won’t let us go to our home. We lived in the same house for 50 years since 1971,” Steve Dolan told CNN.

“I wanted to go down there, see if anything’s left, but they won’t let us,” he said. “We’ll deal with it and we’ll wait a week or two and we can go see what’s left and start from scratch and rebuild.”

It will cost $5.52 billion to rebuild after deadly wildfire devastates Maui, FEMA estimates

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